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Have you ever thought about going into the field of interior design?
This career is a great choice for those who want to use their creative visions and design talents to help carve a lucrative career in a stable and steady industry.
Interior designers can specialize in certain types and design styles, which allows them the freedom to have a flexible career that matches their interests and skills.
It is also a great way to get started on the path to success quickly and with options that allow them to work in several areas at once.
Keep reading to learn more about this exciting career.
Article Table of Contents
New Jersey Requirements for Interior Designers
If you want to become an interior designer in New Jersey, you will want to get an interior design license through the Council for Interior Design Qualification.
Obtaining this license is by taking the test through the National Council for Interior Design Qualification.
Not only do you need to pass the examination, but you will also need to have some formal education and hands-on training.
The education you need can be found through various colleges and design schools in the state of New Jersey.
You can get hands-on training if you work under a licensed interior designer in New Jersey.
You also have the option to work under an architect.
If you want to reduce the number of years you need to work under someone with a license, you decide to get a bachelor’s degree in that field of study or higher.
You must have those minimum qualifications before taking the NCIDQ exam.
5 Interior Design Schools in New Jersey
Here is a list of five top choices for interior design education in the state of New Jersey, along with information about each school.
You will also find additional information about the course study, specific location details, and tuition.
Raritan Valley Community College
The Raritan Valley Community College offers a public two-year interior design course.
The semester tuition is $6,672 and the average total cost after financial aid for both years is $6,917.
The college is located at 118 Lamington Rd, Branchburg, NJ.
The phone number is (908) 526-1200.
Brookdale Community College
Brookdale Community College is a public two-year school that offers a top education for interior design students.
The cost per semester is $8804, and after student aid, the two-year program is $9,156.
The school is located at 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ.
The phone number is (732) 224-2345.
New Jersey Institute of Technology
The New Jersey Institute of Technology is a public four-year school with a program for interior design.
The cost for a semester’s tuition is $19,706 and, for four years, costs $38,574 after financial aid.
The school is located at 323 Dr. Marketing Luther King Jr Blvd, Newark, NJ.
The phone number is (973)596-3000.
Kean University
Kean University is a public four-year school that provides options for a degree in interior design.
The cost for a semester is $18,604, and after financial aid, the four-year degree is $30,198.
The school is located at 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ.
The phone number is (908) 737-5326.
The College of New Jersey
The College of New Jersey is a school offering four-year B.A. Interior Design degrees.
The cost per semester is $16,029 and $28,000 for out-of-state enrollment.
The college is located at 2000 Pennington Rd, Ewing Township, NJ.
The phone number is (609) 771-2131.
Please contact the admissions office or the campus counselor to find out more about each school and its specific requirements and enrollment process.
Many of the campuses have various forms of financial aid they accept.
You can inquire about how to apply and what the in-state versus out-of-state prices are for tuition.
You can get a degree from a two-year school and then begin working under a certified interior designer for two years to get the credentials you need to take the final certification exam in the state of New Jersey.
To find out where to submit your information and details and how to document your credentials contact each school and they can provide the complete details of how to begin the process and where to send the information to apply for the test.
Interior Design Schools in New Jersey – Summary Table
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Raritan Valley Community College | 118 Lamington Road Branchburg, NJ |
| Brookdale Community College | 765 Newman Springs Rd, Lincroft, NJ 07738 |
| New Jersey Institute of Technology | 323 Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Newark, NJ 07102 |
| Kean University | 1000 Morris Ave, Union, NJ 07083, |
| The College of New Jersey | 2000 Pennington Road Ewing, NJ 08628-0718 |
Salary
The average salary for a certified interior designer working in the state of New Jersey is approximately $48,769.
Those who succeed over the long term in the industry can make over $53,487 per year and up.
Annual Salary Range:| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Newark | $55,694 |
| Jersey City | $58,669 |
| Paterson | $56,231 |
| Elizabeth | $55,694 |
| Edison | $54,719 |
| Woodbridge | $54,719 |
| Dover | $55,919 |
| Augusta | $55,873 |
| Trenton | $52,706 |
| Camden | $52,241 |
Regional Salary in New Jersey
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trenton, NJ | 60 | $66,980 | $32.2 | $98,470 | $43,820 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Sources
https://www.salary.com/research/salary/benchmark/interior-designer-i-salary
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to be certified to work as an interior designer in the state of New Jersey?
If you want to work without a certificate, you need to work under an individual who has a certificate or works as an architect.
Do I need a 2-year or a 4-year degree to get my certificate?
You can get your certificate if you have a 2-year degree and combined education and hands-on experience or training under a licensed interior designer.
However, you can still practice if you seek a 4-year degree and skip the hands-on training.
Do you need insurance to practice as an interior designer?
There is no stipulation that you must have insurance, but it is very smart to have it.
Many clients will not work with one who does not have liability coverage.
Read the full guide: How to Become a Certified Interior Designer
Interior Design Schools by State